424 | Recreation, Sport and the Arts
the year include Turandot which was given the 2004 Hong Kong Dance Award, a trilogy of three one-act ballets and two everlasting classical ballets.
The company successfully completed tours as a Cultural Ambassador of Hong Kong and performed at Huayi Chinese Festival of Arts in Singapore., undertook a 22-day North American tour under the Government's Relaunch Hong Kong campaign, and participated in the Hong Kong Culture Week in Shanghai.
Educational programmes also form an integral part of the company's activities. The company's Education and Outreach Department promoted dance to people of all ages and background through 11 projects including a Multi-media Dance Education Project, Hong Kong Community Dance Festival and School Cultural Day during the
year.
Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, incorporated as a non-profit-making company in 2001, is a professional Chinese music orchestra that has gained international recognition. Under the leadership of its artistic director, it has made notable achievements in promoting the development of Chinese orchestral music.
During the year, it gave 100 regular, outreach and special concerts. As the Cultural Ambassador of Hong Kong, the orchestra was invited to participate in major cultural events around the world including the Ode to Peace Concert of the World Historical and Cultural Cities Expo in Nanjing, Saint-Denis Arts Festival for Les Annees Chine-France in France, Hong Kong Cultural Week in Shanghai jointly presented by the Shanghai Opera House and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, and HKCO Plays Memorable Tunes in Nanjing.
Hong Kong Dance Company
The Hong Kong Dance Company was also incorporated as a non-profit-making organisation in 2001. The company is committed to promoting the art of Chinese dance and dance drama with a unique Hong Kong style. For years, the company has staged more than 100 productions by Mainland, overseas and local choreographers. The company has also performed in the Mainland and overseas to foster cultural exchange. In September and November, it had touring performances in Hangzhou, Shanghai and Macao respectively, receiving rave reviews to its performances.
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, with 89 members, is the city's oldest and largest orchestra and presents more than 100 performances a year. The orchestra renews its commitment to artistic excellence, while extending its education and outreach programmes to embrace the entire community. The orchestra's education programme also offered free classical music programmes to over 64 000 students in the community.
Hong Kong Repertory Theatre
Hong Kong Repertory Theatre is the first professional drama theatre in Hong Kong. Its extensive repertoire is performed mostly in Cantonese, with Putonghua